'Shrines of Gaiety' by Kate Atkinson
September 2025 - 'Shrines of Gaiety' by Kate Atkinson
In September book group read Kate Atkinson’s 2022 novel 'Shrines of Gaiety' which is set in the aftermath of the First World War and centres on the indomitable Nellie Coker and her nightclub empire.
London in the 1920s
This compendious novel includes a large cast of characters and evocatively captures London in the 1920s. Readers found it particularly strong on historical detail and appreciated its exploration of post-war social issues such as the economic world of women and the opportunities open to them.
We found many things to enjoy in the novel. One reader described reading it as a magical experience, as Atkinson creates such a rich world, dense with detail. Readers found it a witty, smart novel, with engaging characters such as Gwendolyn the librarian-turned-crimefighter, and dancer Florence, who attempts to succeed in London’s theatres but instead ends up in Nellie’s clubs.
Light in tone
Atkinson deploys a light tone despite the dark subject matter (with some criticism that perhaps it was too light in places). Some readers found links with Atkinson’s other novels – noting that the character of detective Frobisher is a lot like Atkinson’s popular Jackson Brodie character. However, one reader in particular felt that the novel didn’t reach the high notes of Atkinson’s other novels, highlighting 'Behind the Scenes at the Museum' and 'Life After Life' as examples of must reads from her backlist.
Divisive ending
As is often the case, readers were divided on the novel’s ending. One reader, who had loved the novel until its end said that she felt insulted by the novel’s abrupt ending and that it spoiled the rest of the novel for her. Others were more sanguine, but were left confused, feeling that Atkinson hadn’t given us a satisfactory conclusion. An Atkinson fan reminded us that her novels often thwart our expectations, and she is not a writer that chooses to give us easy answers.
Archive sources
As part of the archival presentation to accompany the session we looked at material in the archives relating to the real “Queen of Nightclubs” Kate Meyrick, on whom the character of Nellie Coker was based. We explored the scope for further research into her career using the records of the London County Council (LCC), and the challenges of such research.
Much of the research that has been done by historians so far relies on the records of the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office at The National Archives. However, Meyrick was brought before several magistrates (Bow Street and Marlborough Street, on multiple occasions and these are held at TLA). Her activities would be expected to catch the attention of the LCC, who licensed premises for music and dancing. For one of Meyrick's clubs, the 'Silver Slipper', we hold some building plans (although dated a year earlier than her supposed involvement) and there are entries in the LCC Music Hall and Theatres Committee minutes for it too.
Meyrick was imprisoned in Holloway Prison for this and we hold a register (CLA/003/PR/02/010) that shows her admission on Monday 19 November 1924.